Uncountable Nouns - English Grammar Lesson

英文語法 — 不可數名詞

Hi, I’m Martin.

嗨，我是Martin。歡迎來到Oxford Online English！在本節課裡，您可以學習

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

In this lesson, you can learn about countable and uncountable nouns in English.

英文的可數名詞和不可數名詞。

What’s the difference between paper and a paper?

paper和a paper之間的區別是什麼? 為什麼我們說 trousers are… 但是

Why do we say trousers are… but news is…?

說news is…？為什麼您不能說， 您能給我一個建議嗎？

Why can’t you say, Can you give me an advice?

You’ll learn the answers to all these questions in this lesson.

在本節課裡，您會學到這些 問題的答案。

Where shall we start?

我們要從什麼地方開始？

Some nouns are countable.

一些名詞是可數的。您可以給它們數數。 例如，鋼筆是可數的。

You can count them.

For example, pens are countable.

You can count them.

您可以給它們數數。

One pen, two pens, three pens, and so on.

One pen、two pens、three pens，諸如此類。

Some nouns are uncountable.

一些名詞是不可數的。您不能 給它們數數，例如，水是不可數的。

You can’t count them.

For example, water is uncountable.

One water, two waters…?

One water, two waters…? 不是， 不是這樣的。您不能給水數數。

No, that doesn’t work.

You can’t count water.

Do you know any other uncountable nouns?

您知道任何其他的不可數名詞嗎？

You’ll see more examples in the next section, but here are three: money, rice and knowledge

您會在下一個單元看到更多的例子，但是， 這有三個：money、rice和knowledge

are all uncountable nouns.

都是不可數名詞。

Countable and uncountable nouns behave differently.

可數名詞和不可數名詞的使用 不同。他們追隨不同的規則。

They follow different rules.

First, uncountable nouns can’t be plural.

首先，不可數名詞不能是複數。 那意思是您不能說moneys、rices或

That means you can’t say moneys, rices or knowledges.

knowledges。這些形式不存在。

These forms don’t exist.

Secondly, you need to use a singular verb with uncountable nouns.

其次，您必須用一個單數形式的 動詞來搭配不可數名詞。例如：

For example:

This rice doesn’t taste right.

This rice doesn’t taste right. Your money is on the table.

Your money is on the table.

His knowledge of this subject has improved significantly.

His knowledge of this subject has improved significantly.

Next, you can’t use a or an with an uncountable noun.

接下來，您不能用a或an搭配一個不可數名詞。 您不能說a rice、a money或a

You can’t say a rice, a money or a knowledge.

knowledge。然而，您能 用some或any。例如：

However, you can use some or any.

For example:

Is there any rice left?

Is there any rice left? You’ll need some money for the bus.

You’ll need some money for the bus.

Finally, we use different words to talk about quantities with countable and uncountable

最後，我們用不同的單字來談論 可數名詞和不可數

nouns.

名詞的數量。

With countable nouns, we use many to talk about large quantities, and few to talk about

可數名詞，我們使用many來 說大量，用few來

small quantities.

說少量。

With uncountable nouns, we use much and little.

不可數名詞，我們使用much和little。

You can use a lot of or lots of with both countable and uncountable nouns.

您可以使用a lot of或lots of 搭配 可數名詞和不可數名詞。

For example:

例如：

There isn’t much rice left, but There aren’t many potatoes left.

There isn’t much rice left, but There aren’t many potatoes left.

There’s a little money in my pocket, but There are a few coins in that small box.

There’s a little money in my pocket, but There are a few coins in that small box.

Okay, so now you know the basics about uncountable nouns and how to use them.

好，那麼現在您了解不可數名詞的 基本知識以及如何使用它們。

Next, an important question:

接下來，一個重要的問題：

Many uncountable nouns are words for food and drink, such as pasta, meat, fruit, coffee,

很多不可數名詞是與吃喝有關的 單字，像是pasta、meat、fruit、coffee、

beer or milk.

beer或milk。

Be careful, because fruit is uncountable, but vegetables are countable.

請留意，因為水果是不可數的， 但是蔬菜是可數的。

Many collective nouns are uncountable.

很多集合名詞是不可數的。

Collective nouns are nouns which describe a group of objects all together.

集合名詞是指示一個很多 個體組成的群體，例如，

For example, furniture, equipment, luggage or traffic.

furniture、equipment、luggage或traffic。

Finally, abstract nouns are often uncountable.

最後，抽象名詞通常是不可數的。 例如：knowledge、information、advice

For example: knowledge, information, advice or progress.

或progress。

Okay, I have a challenge for you.

好，我為您準備了一個挑戰。

You have three groups of nouns here: food & drink, collective nouns, and abstract nouns.

在這裡，您有三組名詞： 食物和飲品、集合名詞和抽象名詞。

I want you to pause the video and find one more uncountable noun to add to each group.

我希望您暫停影片並多找一個 不可數名詞加到每組裡。

That means you need to find one uncountable food or drink noun, one uncountable collective

那是說，您要找一個不可數的食物和 飲品名詞，一個不可數的集合

noun, and one uncountable abstract noun.

名詞以及一個不可數的抽象 名詞。寫下您的答案。

Write down your answers.

Why are you still here?

為什麼您還在這？暫停影片 並找出您的答案！

Pause the video and find your answers!

Okay, finished?

好的，完成了嗎？

But, there’s a problem.

但是，有一個問題。

There are many possible answers you could have here.

在這裡，您可以有很多可能的答案。 您可以檢查一下嗎？

How can you check?

Easy: find a dictionary.

簡單：找一本辭典。您可以用線上辭典，像是 Longman或是一個紙本的辭典，

You can use an online dictionary such as Longman, or a paper dictionary if you’re feeling

假如您覺得有點老派做法的話。

a bit old school.

Look up the words you wrote down.

看下您寫下的單字。在辭典裡， 它會告訴您單字是可數的

In the dictionary, it should tell you if they’re countable or uncountable.

或不可數的。

Some dictionaries do this by adding a ‘u’ for uncountable or a ‘c’ for countable

一些辭典會在不可數名詞之後增加一個 “u”或在可數名詞之後增加一個“c”來標註。

after the noun.

不同的辭典有不同的方式。

Different dictionaries have different styles.

So now you can check your answers.

那麼現在您可以檢查您的 答案。您對了嗎？

Were you correct?

Now, things get more complicated.

現在，事情更複雜了。

Why?

為什麼？

If nouns could only be countable or uncountable, this topic would be very simple.

如果名詞可以僅是可數的或不可數的， 這個話題就會很簡單。

However, many nouns can be both countable and uncountable, with different meanings.

然而，很多名詞根據不同的含義， 可以是可數和不可數。

For example, paper can be countable or uncountable.

例如，paper可以是可數的或是不可數的。

Do you know the difference?

您知道區別嗎？ paper和 a paper有什麼區別？

What’s the difference between paper and a paper?

Paper is the material: what you write on.

Paper是材料：您會在上面寫字。

A paper is another way to say a newspaper

A paper是報紙的另一種講法。

Let’s look at some more examples like this.

我們來看看像這樣的更多例子。 考慮它： 單字之間的區別：

Think about it: what’s the difference between:

Fish and a fish?

Fish和a fish？ Glass和a glass?

Glass and a glass?

Time and a time?

Time和a time?

Ready?

準備好了嗎？我們看看答案：

Let’s look at the answers:

Fish (uncountable) means the food.

Fish（不可數）意思是 食物。您吃fish.

You eat fish.

A fish (countable) means one whole animal, either living or dead.

A fish （可數）意思是一個完整的動物， 無論是活的或是死的。比較：

Compare:

We eat a lot of fish.

We eat a lot of fish. --> We eat a lot of fish in general.

--> We eat a lot of fish in general.

There’s a fish in the toilet!

There’s a fish in the toilet! --> One living fish.

--> One living fish.

He ate three whole fish.

He ate three whole fish. --> Three whole animals.

--> Three whole animals.

What about glass and a glass?

那glass和a glass呢？

Glass is a material.

Glass是一種材料。A glass是 某些您喝的。例如：

A glass is something you drink out of.

For example:

The sculpture was made of glass.

雕像是玻璃做的。 您想要一杯水嗎？

Would you like a glass of water?

Finally, how about time and a time?

最後， time和a time怎麼樣？

Time is the general meaning of time.

Time是時間的廣泛說法。那像是 一個我不能用更簡單的

It’s such a basic idea that I can’t really explain it in more simple terms!

術語再詮釋的基本概念！

A time has a similar meaning to an occasion or a period.

A time有一個與an occasion或 a period類似的意思。

Look at some examples:

看一些例子：

I don’t have much free time.

我沒有太多空閒時間。您需要 多少時間去完成這個？

How much time will you need to finish this?

There have been many times when I wanted to give up.

有很多次我想放棄。

We had a good time at their barbecue.

我們在他們的烤肉聚會上度過 了一個美好的時刻。

Can you see the difference now?

現在您可以看出區別了嗎？

So, there are many nouns which can be both countable and uncountable, often with different

那麼，有很多名詞通常有不同含義 時，可以是可數的

meanings.

和不可數的。

There are too many examples to explain them all here, but I will give you one general

這有太多例子來解釋它們， 但是我給你們一個可能

idea which might be helpful.

有用的一般概念。

Often, when a noun can be countable or uncountable, the uncountable noun has a general or collective

通常，在一個名詞可以是可數或不可數時， 不可數名詞有一個廣泛含義或集合意思。

meaning.

可數名詞有一個特定的含義。

The countable noun has a specific meaning.

For example, think about the word hair.

例如，考慮單字hair。它 可以是可數的或不可數的。

It can be countable or uncountable.

Hair (uncountable) has a general meaning.

Hair（不可數）有一個廣泛 含義。它意思是，例如

It means, for example, the stuff that grows on your head.

長在您頭上的東西。

Hair (countable) has a more specific meaning.

Hair (可數)有一個更特定的意思。

Have you ever made the mistake in English where you say something like:

您曾經在用英文說某些 事情上犯錯嗎？像是：

My friend Jacob has a long hair.

My friend Jacob has a long hair.

If you say this, you mean that your friend has one long hair.

如果您這樣說，您的意思是您的 朋友有一根長髮。那

That’s probably not what you wanted to say, right?

可能不是您想要表達的意思，對嗎？

Instead, say:

取而代之的是，說：

My friend Jacob has long hair.

My friend Jacob has long hair.

To really understand countable and uncountable nouns, you’ll have to remember a lot of

要真正地理解可數和不可數名詞， 您不得不記住大量的

information.

信息。然而，這基本的概念可以幫您： 不可數名詞是更廣泛含義和

However, this basic idea can help you: uncountable nouns are more general and abstract; countable

更抽象的；可數名詞是更特定的。

nouns are more specific.

In this lesson, we’ve talked about countable nouns, uncountable nouns, and nouns which

在本節課裡，我們談論了可數名詞、 不可數名詞以及

can be both.

可以二者皆是的名詞。

There are a few strange nouns, which don’t fit cleanly into any of these categories.

有一些奇怪的名詞，不完全屬於 這些類別裡的任何一種。

For example, we said at the beginning that uncountable nouns can’t be plural.

例如，我們在開始時說不可數名詞 不能是複數。您不會

You can’t say rices or knowledges.

說rices或knowledges。

That’s generally true, but there are some uncountable nouns which can only be plural.

那一般來說是事實，但是有一些可以 是複數的不可數名詞。

They are:

它們是：

police clothes

police clothes

trousers scissors

trousers scissors

You can’t make these nouns singular.

這些單字不能是單數。 您不能說one police或one trouser。

You can’t say one police or one trouser.

Remember to use a plural verb with these nouns.

記得用一個動詞的複數形式 來搭配這些名詞。例如：

For example:

The police have interviewed all the witnesses.

警察詢問了所有的證人。 這些褲子不是很合適。

These trousers don’t fit well.

Careful with the scissors—they’re sharp.

小心剪刀 —— 它們很鋒利。

Another strange word is news.

另一個奇怪的單字是news。它是不可數和 單數的，甚至儘管它以“s”結尾。

It’s uncountable and singular, even though it ends with ‘s’.

So, don’t say:

所以，不要說:

The news are depressing at the moment.

The news are depressing at the moment.

Instead, say:

取而代之的是，說：

The news is depressing at the moment.

The news is depressing at the moment.

Finally, there are some collective nouns like staff, team or crew.

最後，有一些集合名詞像是staff、team 或crew。其中的一些是不可數的

Some of these are uncountable (like staff), and others can be countable, like team or

(像是staff)，其他的可以是可數的， 像是team或crew。

crew.

These nouns are generally made plural in British English.

這些名詞在英國英文一般是 複數。在英國，我們說：

In the UK, we say:

The staff aren’t happy with the new uniform.

The staff aren’t happy with the new uniform. The team are playing well at the moment.

The team are playing well at the moment.

However, in the US, these collective nouns are often singular.

然而，在美國，這些集合名詞通常 是單數。在美國，您也許聽到：

In the US, you might hear:

The staff isn’t happy with the new uniform.

The staff isn’t happy with the new uniform. The team is playing well at the moment.

The team is playing well at the moment.

Both are possible, but try to be consistent.

二者皆有可能，但是說法要是一致的。 如果您讓這些名詞是複數，那麼它們

If you make these nouns plural, then they should always be plural.

必須一直是複數。如果您讓它們是 單數，它們必須總是單數。

If you make them singular, you should always make them singular.

That said, native speakers aren’t always consistent.

那就是說，母語人士不總是一致的。 不用擔心這個太多，

Don’t worry about it too much, and don’t be surprised if you hear both forms.

如果您聽到兩種形式 也不要吃驚。

Okay, we have one more thing to do.

好，我們還有一件事要做。

The point of uncountable nouns is that you can’t count them.

不可數名詞的要點是 您不能給它們數數。

But sometimes you need to.

但是有時您需要做。

What can you do?

您能做什麼？

Take an uncountable noun you saw earlier: rice.

拿一個您之前看到過的 不可數名詞：rice。

There’s no way to count rice directly.

沒有辦法直接去給米數數。米是永遠 不能數數的。您從來不會說

Rice can never be countable.

You can never say three rices.

three rices.

But, sometimes you need to count things, even if they’re uncountable.

但是，有時您需要給某樣東西數數，甚至 是如果它們是不可數的。您

How can you count rice?

怎麼給米數數呢？

Actually, there are many ways to do it.

實際上，有很多方式做這個。

Rice is made up of single grains of rice.

Rice是由單粒的米粒組成的。 這是一粒米。

Here is one grain of rice.

You can also have a bag of rice, a packet of rice, or a portion of rice.

您可以有一包米、一袋米 或一份米飯。

By adding a noun + of, you can make an uncountable noun countable.

通過添加一個名詞 + of，您可以讓 一個不可數的名詞變可數。

Let’s see how this works in some example sentences:

我們來看看在一些例句裡 這是怎麼用的：

There was a single grain of rice left at the bottom of his bowl.

There was a single grain of rice left at the bottom of his bowl.

Can you get two of those big bags of rice?

Can you get two of those big bags of rice? We’d like three portions of rice, please.

We’d like three portions of rice, please.

Like with rice, there are often many different nouns you can add to make an uncountable noun

像是搭配rice，通常您可以添加很多 不同的名詞來讓

countable.

一個不可數名詞變可數。

That’s the good news.

那還是一個好消息。糟糕的消息是 您要根據您用的不可數

The bad news is that you need to add different nouns depending on the uncountable noun you’re

名詞來增加不同的名詞。

using.

Let’s practice this so you can see what I mean.

我們來練習這個，這樣您 可以看我的意思是什麼。

Here are five uncountable nouns.

這有五個不可數名詞。您 怎麼能讓它們變可數？

How could you make them countable?

advice bread

advice bread

money furniture

money furniture

coffee

coffee

Think about your answers.

考慮您的答案。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？我們一起看看。

Let’s look together.

You can give someone a piece of advice, or two pieces of advice if you’re feeling generous.

You can give someone a piece of advice, or two pieces of advice if you’re feeling generous.

Add a piece of to make advice countable.

加一個piece of來讓advice變可數。

A piece of is very useful, because you can use it to make many uncountable nouns countable.

A piece of是很有用的，因為您可以用 它來讓很多不可數名詞變可數。

You can also have a piece of bread.

您也可以有a piece of bread。搭配bread，您 還有其他的可能性：a loaf of bread

With bread you have other possibilities: a loaf of bread or a slice of bread.

或a slice of bread。

What about money?

那錢呢？您可以有a sum of money 或an amount of money。例如，您可以

You can have a sum of money or an amount of money.

For example, you could say:

He lost a large amount of money trying to play the stock market.

說：

He lost a large amount of money trying to play the stock market.

For furniture, you could say a piece of furniture or possibly an item of furniture, although

對於傢俱，您可以說a piece of furniture 或有可能是an item of furniture，儘管

this is very formal, and not common.

這是很正式的，不常用。

Finally, what about coffee?

最後，coffee呢？您可以有a cup of coffee、 a packet of coffee、a spoonful

You can have a cup of coffee, a packet of coffee, a spoonful of coffee, or a pot of

of coffee或a pot of coffee。

coffee.

In all of these cases, there are other possible answers.

在所有這些事例裡，有其他 可能的答案。然而，有幾個

However, these are the most common ones.

更常用的。

So, that’s it for this class.

那麼，本節課就到這了。在我們的網站上 觀看本節課的完整版本：

Check out the full version of this lesson on our website: Oxford Online English dot

Oxford Online English dot com. 您可以讀文字 並搭配我們的隨堂測驗練習。

com.

You can read the text and practise with our quiz.

Thanks for watching and see you next time!

感謝觀看，下次見！